Ian Williams leading Locman Cup – Elba Island

The top three crews at the Locman Cup – Elba Island, the final stage of the 2005-’06 World Match Racing Tour season, enjoyed a solid day of racing as the event neared the conclusion of the double round robin.

With five flights remaining to sail, Ian Williams (GBR), Williams Sail Racing, Peter Gilmour (AUS), PST, Cameron Dunn (NZL), Mascalzone Latino – Capitalia, and Staffan Lindberg (FIN), Alandia Sailing Team, remained atop the leaderboard.

Williams leads with 9 points on a 9-2 record. He and Gilmour both went 3-0 on the day to remain tied, but Williams won their head-to-head match yesterday to retain the top spot. They’re scheduled to meet again in Flight 19.

Mark Williams, bowman for brother Ian, flexes some muscle during their Flight 2 match against Staffan Lindberg, won by Williams. Photo copyright: World Tour/Guido Cantini

Dunn also went 3-0 today. He trails the top two by 1 point with an 8-3 record. Lindberg was 1-2 today and has 5.5 points against 4 losses.

Ian Ainslie (RSA), Team Shosholoza, and Thierry Peponnet (FRA), Areva Challenge, are tied for fifth with 4 points on 4-7 records.

Due to the light morning winds, the race committee has moved the daily skippers’ briefing back to 12:00 pm, three hours later than originally scheduled. A calm morning gave way to a blustery northwesterly around 15 knots with higher gusts.

Ian Ainslie (left) of Team Shosholoza and Pierre Mas of China Team tangle in the pre-start of their Flight 5 match, won by Mas. Photo copyright: World Tour/Guido Cantini

Around 5:00 pm, when the wind has strengthened the past two days, today it shifted to the north, which forced the race committee to move the racecourse to the mouth of the Bay of Porto Azzurro.

Regardless of the wind direction there were many shifts and big gains to be made. The bay is located between mountain ranges to the north and south.

“It’s a very strange racecourse,” said Gilmour, who’s aiming to win his first Locman Cup title in his third try. “It’s classic sailing between two mountains. There’s great breeze on the sides and light in the middle. It’s a bit like Lake Garda. There are times when you need defined strategy and times when you need to match-race the hell out of it.”

Ian Ainslie (left) of Team Shosholoza rocks to windward while chasing Cameron Dunn of Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia Team downwind. Photo copyright: World Tour/Guido Cantini

Williams had similar thoughts. “Here it’s about the first cross,” said the British sailor. “It’s shifty and not too predictable. If you can get four out of six shifts on the first beat you can make gains to defend your lead downwind. When you get ahead, you get to choose your shifts and extend.”

Dunn, who’s aiming for his first semifinal of a World Tour event, continues to gain confidence. “We stepped it up from yesterday,” said Dunn. “We eliminated some mistakes. It was nothing major, just tactical things that we needed to improve. They came up today and worked in our favor.”

With three days of racing complete Bill Hardesty, an American crewman for Williams, was asked for the most marked characteristic of the event. “The boats are a handful when the wind comes up,” Hardesty said. “It takes every bit of grit and determination to get them around the course. There were wipe outs, collisions and all sorts of exciting things for the viewing spectators.”

LOCMAN CUP – ELBA ISLAND PROVISIONAL STANDINGS
(After 15 of 20 scheduled flights)
1. Ian Williams (GBR) Williams Sail Racing, 9-1
2. Peter Gilmour (AUS) PST, 9-1
3. Cameron Dunn (NZL) Mascalzone Latino – Capitalia, 8-3
4. Staffan Lindberg (FIN) Alandia Sailing Team, 5.5-5
5. Ian Ainslie (RSA) Team Shosholoza, 4-7
6. Thierry Peponnet (FRA) Areva Challenge, 4-7
7. Pierre Mas (FRA) China Team, 3-9
8. Giovanni Segnini (ITA) Locman Sailing Team, 0-11